The Buckeyes aren’t wasting any time turning the page to 2027.
Just weeks after locking in their 2026 recruiting class with the addition of quarterback Legend Bey, Ohio State has already landed a major piece for the next cycle - and it’s a big one. Four-star linebacker Quinton Cypher, out of Raleigh, North Carolina, has committed to the Buckeyes, choosing them over some of college football’s biggest heavyweights: Georgia, Alabama, and Miami.
That’s not just a recruiting win - that’s a statement.
Cypher becomes the first linebacker in Ohio State’s 2027 class, and he’s the kind of player you build a defensive unit around. At 6-foot-2 with sideline-to-sideline speed and a nose for the football, he fits the mold of the modern linebacker - athletic enough to cover in space, physical enough to hold up in the box. And he’s headed to a program that knows how to develop players at his position.
That’s where James Laurinaitis comes in.
Laurinaitis, the former Buckeye All-American and now a rising star on the coaching staff, has been making serious waves on the recruiting trail. But it’s not just about landing top-tier talent - it’s what he’s doing with them once they arrive in Columbus.
Just look at Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. Both are expected to be early-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, and Laurinaitis has played a major role in their development.
He’s building a reputation not only as a recruiter but as a coach who can elevate talent to the next level.
With Reese and Styles heading to the league, Cypher’s commitment helps restock the linebacker room with a player who could be a foundational piece for years to come. He’s the eighth commitment overall in Ohio State’s 2027 class, and while it’s still early, this group is already shaping up to be one of the nation’s best.
Now, let’s talk about the bigger picture.
While the 2026 class may not have hit the same high marks as previous years - at least by Ohio State standards - there’s a real opportunity for the Buckeyes to bounce back in a big way with 2027. And if they can capture a second straight national championship, it’s not hard to imagine this class finishing in the top three nationally. Winning on the field still matters in recruiting, and few programs are positioned better than Ohio State to capitalize on that momentum.
Bottom line: Cypher’s commitment is more than just another name on the list. It’s a signal that Ohio State’s recruiting machine is revving up again - and with Laurinaitis helping lead the charge, the Buckeyes’ linebacker legacy looks like it’s in good hands.